Albert Nobbs (2011); drama comedy film review

Poster artwork for the drama comedy film Albert Nobbs.

Survival Secrets by Linh

Albert Nobbs is a film adaptation, based on a short story by Irish author George Moore, about a woman who has spent the past thirty years passing herself off as a man while working as a waiter since she was a teenager. Life in Ireland during the late 1800s was tough and it was the only way for her to become independent and employed. Albert was an illegitimate child and was never told about her true identity, and she never even knew her own name, but she was given a photograph of her mother by her foster parent. After being sexually assaulted and bashed by a group of men when she was a teenager, Albert answered a job advertisement seeking young waiters. At the age of fourteen, Albert dressed as a boy and successfully landed a job as a waiter. Since then, she, now a “he”, has never looked back.

DUBLIN DATE: Helen (Mia Wasikowska) and Albert (Glenn Close) go on a date in the film Albert Nobbs. Image: Chrysalis Films, Hopscotch Productions.

The film begins with Albert (Glenn Close) working as a waiter in the kitchen of the posh Morrison’s Hotel, alongside a lively group of cooks, maids and waiters who laugh and gossip about many of the guests. Unbeknownst to his co-workers and his employer Mrs. Baker (Pauline Collins), Albert has a secret of his own. His secret is discovered by accident when Mrs. Baker hires the painter Hubert Page (Janet McTeer) and she suggests he shares a bed with Albert. Hubert promises to never reveal Albert’s secret and he becomes Albert’s confidante and friend. Albert confides in Hubert and then his colleague Helen (Mia Wasikowska), about his dream is to open a tobacco shop and then retire in a home by the sea. However, complications arise with the arrival of Joe Macken (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), the apprentice boiler; at a time when Albert is desperate to achieve his dream and even find a “wife” to help him serve at the counter of his future tobacco shop.

GENTLEMANLY GESTURE: Helen (Mia Wasikowska) feels uncomfortable as Albert (Glenn Close) plants a kiss on her cheek in the film Albert Nobbs. Image: Chrysalis Films, Hopscotch Productions.

The ensemble cast led by a superb Glenn Close (Low Down, and TV series Damages) bring humour and warmth to their roles. Close is deserving of her Best Leading Actress Academy Award nomination and certainly for her portrayal of a woman who escapes poverty and loneliness by dressing as a man. Close reaches to the core of her character and brings out true emotions, pathos and sincerity. An interesting feature of the character is how Albert seems to have no real identity to show subjectivity, and he takes on the qualities and skills of a waiter as if his job defines him. His impeccable manners, neat appearance, clear and laconic speech, always standing with a straight back and brisk walking are all skills of a waiter which Albert performs as if they are part of his personality and not just his job.

Close has contributed to almost every aspect of this film including as co-screenwriter, co-producer, collaborated with composer Brian Byrne on the song ‘Lay Your Head Down’ and even as the film’s location scout. This film is a labour of love for Close and took almost thirty years to come to fruition.

The Irish accents are comprehensible and all cast members were exceptional including Australian actor Mia Wasikowska (The Kids Are All Right, Stoker) who is delightful as the feisty and affable Helen; Janet McTeer (Tumbleweeds, The Woman In Black) is excellent as the gentle giant Hubert Page, who shares a secret with Albert; Aaron Johnson (Kick- Ass, Anna Karenina) displays courage and conviction as Joe, who suffered abuse at the hands of his father, and is desperate to leave Ireland to pursue his dream of success in America.

SHARING SECRETS: Albert (Glenn Close) opens up to Hubert (Janet McTeer) about his past and his future dream in the film Albert Nobbs. Image: Chrysalis Films, Hopscotch Productions.

Albert Nobbs is beautifully filmed, and resonates with contemporary audiences, set in a time where sexual identity and gender issues were kept secret and unspoken, and there were no labels back then. It is a simple and poignant story about a woman dressed as a man purely to survive and escape poverty while pursuing a dream. It is these themes of survival, dreams and staying true to ourselves that are universal and touches the heart and mind of the viewer. Viewers may see other women issues depicted in the film such as the status of women, domestic violence and abuse, or having a child out of wedlock. Albert Nobbs is a brilliant film with outstanding performances that received numerous accolades during the official awards season in 2012.

BLISSFULLY BETROTHED: Cathleen (Bronagh Gallagher) and Hubert (Janet McTeer) defy the social conventions of 19th century Ireland and encourage Albert to pursue his dream in the film Albert Nobbs. Image: Chrysalis Films, Hopscotch Productions.

Director: Rodrigo Garcia

Writers: John Banville (screenplay), Glenn Close (screenplay), Gabriella Prekop (screenplay), George Moore (short story)

Cast: Glenn Close, Mia Wasikowska, Janet McTeer, Aaron Johnson, Brendan Gleeson, Pauline Collins, Maria Doyle Kennedy, Brenda Fricker, Mark Williams, Bronagh Gallagher, Antonia Campbell- Hughes, John Light, Annie Starke, Judy Donovan, Serena Brabazon, Kenneth Collard, Michael Hough, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Emerald Fennell

Producers: Julie Lynn, Bonnie Curtis, Glenn Close, Marcia Allen, Susan Holmes, Alan Moloney, John Eger, Patrick O’Donoghue, Pierre-Francois Bernet

Cinematographer: Michael McDonough (Director of Photography)

Original Music Composer: Brian Byrne

Film Editor: Steven Weisberg

Production: Patrizia von Brandenstein (Production Designer), Susie Cullen (Art Director), Jenny Oman (Set Decorator)

Costume Designer: Pierre-Yves Gayraud

Makeup Effects Designer: Matthew W. Mungle

Running Time: 1 hour and 55 minutes